Graduate Student Ambassadors

Hey everyone! I’m David, a second-year PhD student in the Behavioral and Community Health department and a research assistant on the PRI project. I’m super passionate about community health, mental health, and making sure everyone’s voice is heard—especially in marginalized communities. I love working on team projects where we can learn from each other and make a real impact. UMD SPH has been an awesome place to grow, do meaningful research, and meet people who care deeply about health equity—just like I do!

Fun fact: I’m big into swimming and running, and I used to compete in karate tournaments all across the Americas! Feel free to say hi or reach out and I’m always up for a good chat or collaboration!

Feel free to reach out for tips on balancing work and school full-time! :)

LinkedIn: David Liendo
E-mail: dliendou@umd.edu

Hi! I’m Bryan, and I am a third-year Behavioral and Community Health PhD student. My areas of interest are men’s health, maternal and child’s health, and human sexuality, particularly in minoritized populations. I am also a graduate teaching assistant in the department of BCH and a graduate research assistant for the Community THRIVES Lab. 

LinkedIn: Bryan Shannon
E-mail: bshanno3@umd.edu

My name is Mya Smith, and I'm a second-year BS/MPH student majoring in Behavioral and Community Health. I have a passion for health communications, health education, community outreach, and maternal/child health. The need to directly address the health disparities that exist within the maternal/child health field drives me to pursue this work. SPH is like a second home to me. I love the school's diversity, the unwavering support from the professors, and the interdisciplinary nature of the courses.

My capstone project focuses on stress management and mental health resources for Black prenatal, postpartum, and parenting women in Baltimore City. I am interning with the Office of Public Health Practice and Community Engagement and I’m also a TA for HLTH306. Currently, dancing has brought me a great deal of comfort, so I attend weekly dance classes and film dance videos in my free time!

LinkedIn: Mya Smith
E-mail: msmith74@umd.edu

Hello everyone! 
My name is Erica Scott, and I am currently a second-year MPH Student in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health. I am originally from the D.C. Metropolitan area, and I absolutely enjoy being a mother, career woman, student, and volunteering. My interest and engagement at UMD include participating in a Vignette Study Research and volunteering. 
Outside of UMD, I volunteer with community leaders to engage in meaningful conversations on policy change, community engagement and legislative change for justice, families and individuals who have been impacted by discrimination, inequities of judicial misconduct, health disparities, social justice, health inequities, and more. 
Please feel free to reach out to me! We are in this together! Welcome to UMD!

E-mail: escott14@terpmail.umd.edu

Hi! I’m Nora (or Shayne) and I use they/them pronouns. I am a 4th-year PhD student in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. I grew up in Northern Virginia and lived in Pittsburgh, PA; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Orange County, CA; and Portland OR, before moving back to Baltimore to pursue my PhD at UMD, College Park. I now specialize in epidemiology of firearms violence and violence prevention, mental illness-disability justice, LGBTQIA+ populations, and social theories. I like to spend my free time rock climbing, doing photography and art, playing and DJing music, reading for pleasure and video gaming.

LinkedIn: Nora (Shayne) E Jameson
E-mail: jameson1@umd.edu

Hi! I’m a 5th-year PhD candidate in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. My research examines how maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) shape their children’s behavior and health outcomes. Growing up in both Ghana and the United States gave me the opportunity to observe, first-hand, the different risk factors that influence the health of vulnerable populations. These experiences sparked my interest in epidemiology and inspired me to pursue my PhD at the University of Maryland. Outside of work, I enjoy singing, working out, and exploring new restaurants. Feel free to connect and reach out about anything!

LinkedIn: Candice Owusu
E-mail: cowusu@umd.edu

Hello! I'm Jackie, a second-year BS-MPH student studying Epidemiology. I discovered a love for epidemiology, biostatistics, and public health advocacy through my undergraduate coursework at UMD, as well as through my experiences interning in research labs and at the American Public Health Association. I am dedicated to understanding the overlap of infectious and chronic diseases, as well as how clinical and social determinants critically intersect in healthcare settings. In my free time, I like to run, make art, and volunteer at the animal shelter!

Please feel free to reach out!

LinkedIN: Jacqueline Miller

E-mail: millerj7@umd.edu

I am a second-year PhD student in Maternal and Child Health at the Department of Family Science. As an international student, my academic journey reflects a strong commitment to advancing global maternal, reproductive, and child health through research, policy engagement, and evidence-based interventions. The School of Public Health program’s mission to improve population health, reduce health disparities, and strengthen health systems globally aligns with my passion and goals. With a track record of excellence and innovation, the school provides a veritable platform for success for any potential public health advocate. My doctoral work focuses on advancing reproductive health equity for women and children in vulnerable populations. I have published in peer-reviewed journals on global health, maternal care, and reproductive justice, and contribute to scholarly discourse as a journal reviewer. I look forward to connecting with potential students, faculty, and partners who share a vision for advancing public health research, education, and practice to create lasting global impact.

LinkedIn: Gabriel Dogbanya

Email: nwhitak1@umd.edu

Hi, my name is Changwen, and I am a BS+MPH Student in Environmental Health Sciences! I just finished my BS in May 2025, so I will be a full-time MPH student from now until I graduate in December 2026. I chose Env Health because where we work, play, sleep, etc., can have huge negative impacts on our health, and I want to become part of the solution. The support and guidance from UMD SPH have helped me on this journey and inspire me to pursue a PhD after I finish my MPH. My current research interests include environmental epidemiology and air pollution/air quality, though I will still be trying out other topics as I progress with my studies!

LinkedIn: Changwen Ding
E-mail: changwen@umd.edu

Hi! I am Cameron Smith. I am pursuing a PhD in Environmental Health Science to deepen my understanding of the connection between human and environmental health. I was drawn to the Department of Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health because of its course offerings that align closely with my research interests, as well as the abundance of opportunities to engage in meaningful research. Through my work with the Water Quality, Outreach, and Wellness Laboratory, I have strengthened my skills in laboratory techniques, microbiology, and data analysis. My research interests include microbial water quality and access to clean drinking water, especially in areas such as farms. When I am not on campus, I enjoy teaching dance classes at a local studio, crocheting, and spending time with my two dogs.

LinkedIn: Cameron Smith
E-mail: csmith51@umd.edu

I’m Alice. I left behind a job in public accounting to build a career in public health. As an accountant, I specialized in tax. Still, I was drawn to the policy aspects of the field more than the business aspects and missed the joys of pursuing scientific inquiry in an academic environment. So, I decided to switch gears towards health research and found my ideal environment at UMD’s SPH. My research interests are in health disparities, program and policy evaluation, public health systems, and social determinants of health. My non-research interests include anime, manga, and music - specifically, piano and clarinet.

LinkedIn: Alice Yan
E-mail: asyan@umd.edu

Hi! My name is Caryl Agopome, and I am a second-year BS/MPH student with a concentration in Health Equity. I would love to work in the field of Global Health, reducing health equity gaps in low-income nations around the world. I had a wonderful undergraduate experience at the University of Maryland, particularly within the School of Public Health, which made it an easy decision to continue my graduate education here. In my free time, I love to travel and spend time outdoors. Building community is incredibly important, so please feel free to reach out!

LinkedIn: Caryl Agopome
E-mail: cagopome@umd.edu

Hello! My name is Esohe Owie, a second-year MPH student in Health Equity (HLEQ), which I began through the BS+MPH Accelerated Program. I decided to get an MPH in HLEQ because I am interested in utilizing research, stakeholder engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration to address health disparities and promote health equity. Some of my public health interests include maternal and infant health, as well as the built environment and its impact on health outcomes. In my free time, I enjoy exploring new restaurants, visiting the Smithsonian museums, and watching movies from a variety of genres. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like to learn more about my experiences as a double terp in the School of Public Health. I look forward to connecting with you.

LinkedIn: Esohe Owie
E-mail: eowie@umd.edu

Hi, I’m Nithya, a second-year MPH student in Health Policy through the Accelerated BS+MPH Program. This summer, I worked as a research assistant at the Healthcare Housing Lab at the University of Maryland Baltimore through the UM Scholars program. I am the current BS+MPH chair for the Health Policy and Management Student Association(HPMSA). I chose health policy because I want to study health at a population level and break down systemic barriers to healthcare. Please reach out with any questions!

LinkedIn: Nithya Rao
E-mail: nrao1236@umd.edu

I’m a PhD student in Kinesiology. My research attempts to make accurate knee-loading measurements accessible outside of biomechanics labs. As a former rehabilitation engineer, I strive to better understand human movements. So, the Neuromechanics Research Core at UMD is the perfect fit! In my free time, I’m either participating in a group fitness class at ERC, playing with my daughter, or cooking

LinkedIn: Maliheh Fakhar
E-mail: mfakhar@umd.edu